Friday, 24 February 2012

Pictures from the yard and workshop this week

It has been a manic week at home and at work - and I thought you might like to see a few pics taken of various projects on the go.

This is the final truss for our two bedroom barn frame that we are erecting at the Homebuilding & Renovating show at the NEC at the end of March. We will have a cruck framed barn and also a porch and a garden studio.
Sometimes I wonder if these shows are really worth the stress and effort (I can basically wipe March off the calendar as the whole month is occupied with show stuff - not to mention February and January) but it is lovely to meet people and demonstrate what we do - and if we weren't there people might forget about us?! I just wish there was a way to make it less labour intensive for all of us.........a 'virtual' show has been suggested.
Anyway- moan over - the show building is being made by Joe, Chris and Joe in our smaller workshop (which is very sunny) and all those wooden things you can see in the background are the ply templates for braces and awkward beams. I love the atmosphere of the workshops - with all the traditional tools, the rustic industrial trolley and trestles, the old fashioned workbenches and vices, the smell and the sawdust.........reminds me of my childhood!

And this monster frame is just a small part of a lovely project we are building in the South. Each house is 'framed up' in the yard to check and tag - and luckily the clients timed a meeting to coincide with seeing their frame laid out in all its glory. The whole house occupied the yard and the workshops for three days just for tagging. HUGE!

It's a complicated frame with lots of unusual joints and a great deal of love and passion has gone into it. The carpenters were really pleased to see the owners as it makes everything so much more personal - and it is great for them to hear how pleased the clients are too. I think the clients were relieved to see where the money has gone, but also to finally get an idea of what their home will look like. It is a very exciting time and will get more exhilarating once the frame starts to rise on their plot. Doug - the workshop manager - did say he thinks it might take a bit of head scratching on site though - it is very intricate!

This is just one side of the roof - which took the entire length of the 'long workshop' It was a bit like an optical illusion.

One of my favourite elements of our oak frames, and quite distinctive to Border Oak ( a true sign of quality - I would say that wouldn't I?) are the rounded, champfered jetty/purlin feet. And this pic also shows the boxed heart perfection of our 'Restoration Grade' , FSC and PEFC approved oak - a wood sniffers dream!

Please would you be able to tell me who to email if I would like more information about a project that you have completed and costs for your 4 bed artisan design? I emailed the sales email the other day, but I haven't heard anything so I wondered if I should of contacted another department with my questions?

Hi BenIf you sent it to sales@borderoak.com this week then it is probably being dealt with - but Hannah has been ill for a few days so there might be a delay sorry. If you want to email it to me direct (merry.albright@borderoak.com) I will check it has all arrived and see who is handling it for you.The sales address is usually the right one to send it to as Hannah will forward it to the right person.

Hi Merry, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chrishttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

About Me

I work for Border Oak, who design and build the most beautiful green oak structures.e oak structures all over the world. This blog will share behind the scenes inspiration, current projects and general nonsense to do with oak framing, houses and interiors.
All views and opinions shared here belong to me rather than the collective Border Oak mind - so it's my fault if something is wrong or a bit strange.
I live in a lovely Border Oak cottage in North Herefordshire with my husband Ben (who also works at Border Oak) and our kiddie winks - Minerva & Gabriel. We built our house 9 years ago and are forever looking for the next plot - ideally an old orchard with a bit of wild flower meadow and a long drive. Let me know if you have one for sale........